Mauritius, United States Sign Defence Logistics Pact to Strengthen Maritime Security Cooperation
Port Louis, The Gulf Observer: Mauritius and the United States have signed an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) aimed at strengthening defence cooperation, enhancing institutional capacities, and expanding collaboration on maritime security and regional stability.
The agreement was signed at the Docks in Port Louis in the presence of Secretary for Home Affairs Kan Oye Fong Weng-Poorun and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Sarah Troutman. The signatories were Commissioner of Police Rampersad Sooroojebally and U.S. Africa Command Director for Logistics Brigadier General Paul Filcek.
Addressing the ceremony, Mrs. Fong Weng-Poorun described the agreement as a significant milestone in the longstanding friendship between Mauritius and the United States. She noted that the two countries have enjoyed more than five decades of cordial relations founded on mutual respect, shared values, and a common commitment to peace, security, and prosperity.
She said bilateral cooperation now spans key sectors including maritime security, law enforcement, institutional capacity building, disaster preparedness, and regional stability.
Highlighting Mauritius’ 2.3 million-square-kilometre Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Secretary for Home Affairs underscored the growing challenges posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, piracy, and climate change-related disasters. She stressed that enhanced partnerships, structured information sharing, and stronger regional coordination are essential to improve maritime surveillance, facilitate joint responses, and promote effective maritime governance.
Mrs. Fong Weng-Poorun also referred to the State Partnership Program agreement signed in May 2026 between the New Mexico National Guard and the Mauritius Police Force (MPF), saying the initiative supports leadership development and technical exchanges while strengthening the country’s institutional resilience.
Commissioner of Police Rampersad Sooroojebally praised the United States for its continued support in enhancing Mauritius’ maritime law enforcement capabilities through training and technical assistance. He said the ACSA provides a legal framework for logistical support, joint training, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations, while improving the operational readiness of the Mauritius Police Force and the National Coast Guard.
Emphasizing Mauritius’ dependence on the sea for trade, economic development, and connectivity, he described the protection of the country’s maritime domain as a national priority and highlighted the strategic importance of close cooperation with trusted international partners in ensuring security across the Indian Ocean.
Brigadier General Paul Filcek reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to deepening defence and security cooperation with Mauritius. He noted that similar Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreements have already been concluded with 31 African countries, describing the pact as a stronger bridge between Mauritius and the United States that reinforces their shared commitment to regional security and national priorities.
He added that the enhanced cooperation would improve operational effectiveness, strengthen regional security, and enable faster, better-coordinated responses to humanitarian crises and other common challenges, ultimately helping to save lives.
The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement is a bilateral logistics support arrangement that enables the reciprocal exchange of logistics, supplies, and services between the U.S. Department of Defense and partner nations during joint military exercises, training, humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping missions, and emergency operations. It facilitates the sharing of transportation, fuel, food, medical services, communications, and maintenance support through agreed reimbursement or replacement mechanisms, thereby enhancing interoperability, efficiency, and coordination in multinational operations.
